Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5
In Jesus’ earthly ministry He came to save the world. Not to condemn it. Christ came down to live among us and bring a way of salvation. That is the mercy we received at the cross. Because of mercy, we can be saved.
Jude in his letter to Christians wrote a most powerful and promising command of how we can share this mercy,
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Our witnessing to a lost person buried in sin can be done in a compassionate way, or depending on the circumstances, warning them of the hellfire and brimstone that is their fate unless they come to Christ. This too is mercy.
Mercy is one of the key attributes God wants us to exhibit. However, it doesn’t come naturally. We aren’t born with an inherent sense of mercy. Mercy must be taught. We are born inclined to sin and selfishness. From raising children, we know about the terrible twos, the toxic tweens, and the troubled teens. These are our natural inclinations. As parents we must instruct our children about mercy and to be merciful. God does the same with us, but we have an advantage. The Holy Spirit living in us is our guide and counselor who shows us the way to be merciful. Non-Christians have not received this mercy.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10
The previous article on disgust related how non-Christians can get disgusted by Christians. The three main reasons are they see us as judgmental, unfriendly hypocrites. Mercy cures this perception. If, we are merciful enough to share the love of Christ we must do it with love and respect. If the gospel is rejected, they have made that choice, but at least you showed them mercy in a peace-loving and considerate manner.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17
God desires all come to Him for salvation. His mercy is unending to those who seek Him. His judgement is eternal for those who do not.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. Isaiah 55:7
The foremost thoughts to guide our steps in Christ are guided by mercy because we received mercy. Without mercy there is no compassion. Jesus talked about us being the salt of the earth. We season our area of influence with mercy. When we lose our mercy, we lose our way.
Prayer: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1
